Matavz and Toivonen to star in FC Groningen vs. PSV Eindhoven – Dutch Eredivisie preview
It would be a must win game for PSV Eindhoven when they travel to Groningen to face FC Groningen at Euroborg Stadion on Sunday, May 15. The team’s UEFA Champions League chances for next season heavily depend on this game.
FC Groningen
The Pride of the North were looking a strong contender to play in Champions League until the mid-season break. 19 points from a possible 41 points after the winter break have drained all their hopes to play in the Europe’s most prestigious club competition
next season.
The Green-White-Army currently sit fifth in the league table, trailing the fourth placed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar by three points. With only three points left to play for in the season, FC Groningen are unlikely to finish in the top four Eredivisie sides at the end of
the season.
Peter Huistra, FC Groningen manager, is satisfied with his team’s performances in the ongoing season. Huistra’s troops have performed impressively in front of their home crowd, losing only 3 of the 16 fixtures. Huistra’s men, however, have performed erratically
on their travels. The Pride of the North have an overall record of 33 played, 17 won, 5 drawn and 11 lost.
Huistra would now be hoping that his side bags all three points in their final encounter of the season and finish the season on a high note.
PSV Eindhoven
PSV would be utterly disappointed to have lost an excellent opportunity to become Dutch champions. PSV dominated proceedings throughout the season, sitting atop the pile, however, their inconsistent performance in the last couple of weeks have put them
out of the title race. Nonetheless, they have every right to remain confident to secure Champions League qualifying round berth, should they manage to win this encounter.
The Boeren have staged dominant showings throughout the ongoing season, both at home and on their travels. They have an overall record of 33 played, 20 won, 8 drawn and 5 lost.
Fred Rutten, PSV manager, is not happy with his side’s performances of late and believes that his men could have played better. Rutten believes that his side deserves to play in the Europe’s primary club competition next season. Rutten would be looking to
secure all three points in the final match of the 2010/11 season and finish second in the table.
Head-to-Head statistics
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Groningen-c39119, as the Green-White-Army have not managed a victory in the last five encounters. PSV have won four matches while the remaining game ended in a stalemate.
Players to watch
Tim Matavz – FC Groningen
The 22-year-old striker has performed consistently in the attacking third for the Green-White-Army. He has scored 16 goals in 28 appearances for his side this season and would be looking to add more to his tally. He will remain a constant threat for the
visitors’ back-line.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ola-Toivonen-c28363 – PSV Eindhoven
The 24-year-old Swedish striker will lead the PSV attack in the absence of suspended Balazs Dzsudzsak’s. Toivonen has scored 15 goals in 27 games, and Should PSV bag all three points against FC Groningen, Toivonen will certainly play an important role in
achieving success for his side.
Prediction
It will be a tough encounter and a difficult one to predict, but the home side’s recent form suggests that the match will end 2-1 in PSV’s favour.
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